Joint construction for logs and the like

ABSTRACT

An elongated log is formed substantially rectangular in cross section and is provided with a reduced portion where two logs intersect one with the other at right angles. The reduced portion has a double angled sloping upper surface and a similar sloping lower surface at right angles to said upper surface so that water or moisture sheds easily and towards the outside. When two logs intersect, impaction is not necessary as a sealant is used to seal the joint. This makes manufacture easier and less critical and appearance is improved by the provision of relieved side edges which hide any imperfections of fit when the logs are assembled. Beveled side faces eliminate any end play when the logs are assembled even although the logs do not have a tight fitting interlocking relationship insofar as the major portion of the junctions between logs is concerned.

United States Patent [1 1 Rain [4 1 July 1,1975

[76] Inventor: David Rain, 2404 48th St. SE,

Calgary, Alberta, Canada [22] Filed: July 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 379,580

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 25. 1972 Canada .1 150230 [52] US. Cl. 52/233 [51] Int. Cl E04b 1/10 [58] Field of Search 52/233, 758 A, 753 Y, 664, 52/593; 52/393, 395

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,847,847 8/1958 Moore 52/753 Y X 2,902.733 9/1959 Justus 52/593 X 2,904.99] 9/1959 Vaughan et 52/595 X 3,257,762 6/1966 Steiner 52/233 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 691,689 8/1964 Canada 52/233 Primary Examiner.1ohn E. Murtagh Assistant ExaminerCarl D. Friedman Attorney, Agent, or FirmStanley G. Ade

[57] ABSTRACT An elongated log is formed substantially rectangular in cross section and is provided with a reduced portion where two logs intersect one with the other at right angles. The reduced portion has a double angled sloping upper surface and a similar sloping lower surface at right angles to said upper surface so that water or moisture sheds easily and towards the outside. When two logs intersect, impaction is not necessary as a sealant is used to seal the joint. This makes manufacture easier and less critical and appearance is improved by the provision of relieved side edges which hide any imperfections of fit when the logs are assembled. Beveled side faces eliminate any end play when the logs are assembled even although the logs do not have a tight fitting interlocking relationship insofar as the major portion of the junctions between logs is concerned.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SHEET FIG. 3

1 JOINT CONSTRUCTION FOR LOGS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Elongated construction members of wood or similar material are extremely popular so that the interlocking effect of logs used in log cabins may be reproduced readily and easily and by mass production machinery techniques.

Conventionally such members are made from wood and consist of two types of member, each of which interlocks with the other at right angles to form the finished corner structure.

However, it is well known that wood is not particularly stable inasmuch as it is readily affected by changes in humidity so that it is extremely difficult to mass produce the wooden members with interlocking features which provide an adequate joint. It is normal therefore to form such junctions so that one member interlocks with the other in impacting relationship but even so it is extremely difficult to machine these members to the relatively close tolerances required. Furthermore, even although the junctions are impacted when assembled, if the moisture content of the surrounding area and the members dropped considerably. then the logs tend to shrink thus opening up the interlocking junctions and permitting leakage to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes disadvantages normally inherent with such structures by providing firstly a junction in which all members may be formed with similar reduced portions for interlocking purposes.

Secondly, the upper and lower surfaces of the interlocking portions are angulated in one direction so that any moisture will shed towards the outside of the structure.

Thirdly, means are provided so that any imperfections of manufacture are hidden when the junction is assembled.

Fourthly, the junctions are designed so that a sealant may be used thus ensuring a weather tight joint under all conditions.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation of one of the members showing the junction portion formed therein.

FIG. 2 is a section substantially along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of two members in intersecting relationship, with the upper member sectioned in part for clarity.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one of the members showing the intersecting portion formed thereon.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of three of the members in intersecting relationship.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference to the drawings will show that reference character 10 illustrates generally an elongated construction member normally manufactured from wood. However, it will of course be appreciated that other materials such as plastic can be used if desired.

The elongated member 10 is substantially rectangular when viewed in cross section and includes side surfaces 11 which are substantially vertical, an upper side 12 and a lower side 13.

The upper side 12 of the member may be provided with either a single upstanding longitudinally extending rib 14 or a plurality of such ribs as indicated in FIG. 4 by reference character 14A.

The lower surface or side 13 is provided with a longitudinally extending recess 15 or, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, with a plurality of such recesses 15A it being understood that the ribs of one member interlock with the recesses of the member immediately above when the members are erected in the conventional manner.

Each member is provided with an intersecting portion collectively designated 16 normally situated adjacent the ends of the members so that when the members are interlocked one with the other at right angles, the conventional log cabin structure is reproduced. However, as this is well known, it has not been shown in the drawings with the exception that the ends 17 of adjacent members are shown in FIG. 3.

The upper and lower longitudinally extending corners 18 of the members are arcuately curved as clearly shown, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described.

The portions 16 are of reduced cross section inasmuch as the width indicated by reference character 19 is less than the width between the two vertical side faces 11. By the same token the thickness or height of this portion as indicated by reference character 20 is less than the distance between the upper and lower sides 12 and 13 of the members.

The junction between the side faces 11 and the spaced and parallel vertical sides 21 of the portions 16 is beveled as indicated by reference character 22 and this bevel curves inwardly at the center thereof as indi cated by reference character 23 to give a closed junction when two members intersect inasmuch as the longitudinally curved corners 18 follow this bevel as shown in FIG. 5.

The upper surface 24 of the portions 16 is angulated and includes an upper relatively shallow angled part 25 and a lower more sharply angulated part 26 so that the overall angulation of this upper surface extends downwardly from one side 11 towards the other side 11 of the members.

A similar construction is formed on the under surface 27 of the portion 16 with the parts being indicated by reference characters 25A and 26A. However, it will be noted that the angulated under surface 27 is at right angles to the upper surface 24 to permit the nesting of two intersecting members one with the other.

It will also be noted that there is a right angled recess 28 formed along the junction of the bevel 22 with the side faces 11 and reference to FIG. 3 will show how these right angled cut-out portions meet when the members are interlocked one with the other thus hiding any imperfections which might be present in the machining of the remainder of the portion 16.

When two or more members are intersected at right angles one with the other by means of the intersecting portions 16, reference to FIG. 3 will show that clearance is provided as indicated by reference character 29 where the vertical walls 30 bounding the portions 16, intersect one with the other and sealant (not illustrated) may be injected after assembly in order to make the junctions weather tight. Such a sealant is well known and normally remains in a semi-plastic state so that contraction and expansion of the logs or members does not affect the sealing of the junctions therebetween.

The curved corners 18 give a greater bearing surface or contact surface to the junction and, if desired, a vertical steel rod 31 may extend through apertures formed centrally and vertically through the portions 16.

Advantages of the present construction overcome the conventional methods include the fact that the curved beveled surfaces 22 give a greater lead thus allowing the upper log to engage a considerable amount before it starts to come into contact with the beveled faces of the log below. The beveled face joints 22 have a wider sealing face due to being cut at approximately 45, it being understood that the longer the sealing face the greater the sealing action to make a more watertight joint.

The beveled edges or faces 22 are identical on all logs together with the fact that the contours of the portions 16 are also identical. By using this method there is less chance of error as there is no male or female log used as there is in the conventional construction.

The portions 16 is provided with a double angled water shed roof. This double angle provides drainage the full width of the log and the roof slope prevents water from remaining on this upper surface.

The curved corners l8 eliminate any reduced sealing face due to the nesting relationship one with the other as clearly shown in H6. 5.

The aforementioned beveled edges or faces 22 eliminate any end play from adjacent logs when assembled as these faces gradually nest together due to the curved corners 18. However, it should be observed that the joint is not sealed by a wood face impaction fit which has to be cut accurately and smoothly. The provision of a sealant allows for take up or greater tolerance in the manufacture of the members.

The beveled faces or side edges 22 provide greater guiding action during erection and prevent the logs or members from misalignment and they also provide a greater drainage action than square cut edges which are conventional. Furthermore, due to the curved por tions or corners 18, there are no corners to trap water and dirt, and due to the fact that there are no male or female logs, no gaps are created due to the use of incorrect logs at a particular junction.

The angulation of the upper and lower surfaces 24 and 27 ensures that moisture or water drains to the outside only and not both sides which is conventional and the sealing material used is of course water resistant and will not shrink or crack thus maintaining an efiicient joint at all times and under all conditions.

The joint does not rely on the logs being both the same thickness of material. When male and female logs are used, the male logs require a constant thickness to impact properly into the female log in order to seal. If

the male log is too thick they would be too tight to assemble; if too thin, there would be no impaction.

Although the present device should preferably be made of equal thickness of material, if it is too thick it does not restrict the assembling of the joint; and if too thin, it only means a reduced bevel face.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An elongated construction member having a substantially rectangular cross section, said member having a member intersecting portion of reduced cross section formed thereon, said portion having a width less than the width of said member, said width being defined between side edges, and a depth less than the depth of said member, said portion having an angled upper surface which, when viewed in transverse cross section, slopes downwardly from one side edge of said portion to the other side edge thereof and angled lower surface situated at right angles to said upper surface, said portion being bordered by upper and lower pairs of vertical end walls, the junction between said end walls and vertical side faces of said member being beveled, the upper and lower longitudinal corners of said member being arcuately curved thereby increasing the area of contact when two members are in intersecting relationship one with the other, said beveled junction between said end walls and said vertical side faces following the arcuate curvature of said corners of said members.

2. The member according to claim 1 which includes a right angled cut out portion at the junction of said bevels and said vertical side faces.

3. The member according to claim 2 in which said upper and lower surfaces are doubled angled, each said surface being continuous and comprising a first substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said one side edge at a first angle and a second substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said first portion at a second, steeper angle.

4. The member according to claim 1 in which said upper and lower surfaces are double angled, each said surface being continuous and comprising a first substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said one side edge at a first angle and a second substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said first portion at a second, steeper angle.

5. An elongated construction member adapted to be erected in intersecting relationship at right angles to a similar construction member, each of said members having a member intersection portion of reduced cross section formed thereon, said portion having a width less than the width of said member, said width being defined between side edges, and a depth less than the depth of said member, said portion having an angled upper surface which. when viewed in transverse cross section, slopes downwardly from one side edge of said portion to the other side edge thereof, and an angulated lower surface situated at right angles to said upper surface, said portion being bordered by upper and lower pairs of vertical end walls. the junction between said end walls and vertical side faces of said member being beveled, the upper and lower longitudinal corners of said member being arcuately curved thereby increasing the area of contact when two members are in intersecting relationship one with the other, the beveled junction between said end walls and said vertical faces following the arcuate curvature of said corners of said members.

6. The member according to claim 5 which includes a right angled cut out portion at the junction of said bevels and said vertical side faces.

7. The member according to claim 6 in which said upper and lower surfaces are double angled, each said said first portion at a second, steeper angle.

* i I i i 

1. An elongated construction member having a substantially rectangular cross section, said member having a member intersecting portion of reduced cross section formed thereon, said portion having a width less than the width of said member, said width being defined betwEen side edges, and a depth less than the depth of said member, said portion having an angled upper surface which, when viewed in transverse cross section, slopes downwardly from one side edge of said portion to the other side edge thereof and angled lower surface situated at right angles to said upper surface, said portion being bordered by upper and lower pairs of vertical end walls, the junction between said end walls and vertical side faces of said member being beveled, the upper and lower longitudinal corners of said member being arcuately curved thereby increasing the area of contact when two members are in intersecting relationship one with the other, said beveled junction between said end walls and said vertical side faces following the arcuate curvature of said corners of said members.
 2. The member according to claim 1 which includes a right angled cut out portion at the junction of said bevels and said vertical side faces.
 3. The member according to claim 2 in which said upper and lower surfaces are doubled angled, each said surface being continuous and comprising a first substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said one side edge at a first angle and a second substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said first portion at a second, steeper angle.
 4. The member according to claim 1 in which said upper and lower surfaces are double angled, each said surface being continuous and comprising a first substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said one side edge at a first angle and a second substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said first portion at a second, steeper angle.
 5. An elongated construction member adapted to be erected in intersecting relationship at right angles to a similar construction member, each of said members having a member intersection portion of reduced cross section formed thereon, said portion having a width less than the width of said member, said width being defined between side edges, and a depth less than the depth of said member, said portion having an angled upper surface which, when viewed in transverse cross section, slopes downwardly from one side edge of said portion to the other side edge thereof, and an angulated lower surface situated at right angles to said upper surface, said portion being bordered by upper and lower pairs of vertical end walls, the junction between said end walls and vertical side faces of said member being beveled, the upper and lower longitudinal corners of said member being arcuately curved thereby increasing the area of contact when two members are in intersecting relationship one with the other, the beveled junction between said end walls and said vertical faces following the arcuate curvature of said corners of said members.
 6. The member according to claim 5 which includes a right angled cut out portion at the junction of said bevels and said vertical side faces.
 7. The member according to claim 6 in which said upper and lower surfaces are double angled, each said surface being continuous and comprising a first substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said one side edge at a first angle and a second substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said first portion at a second, steeper angle.
 8. The member according to claim 5 in which said upper and lower surfaces are double angled, each said surface being continuous and comprising a first substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said one side edge at a first angle and a second substantially planar portion which slopes downwardly from said first portion at a second, steeper angle. 